MR. E. POWERasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that the police insist upon attending the meetings of the Kilrosenty Branch of the National League, in the county of Waterford; that they refused to withdraw when requested to do so, stating they were acting under the orders of Sub-Inspector Huggin; and, whether such orders have been given; and, if so, do the Government approve of them?
§ MR. TREVELYANI am informed that a sergeant attended the meeting of this branch held on the 27th of last month. Some of the persons present wished him to leave; but upon this being put to the meeting only about eight out of 50 expressed an affirmative opinion; and as the owner of the house was not amongst those who asked the sergeant to go, he remained. He had no orders from his District Inspector to refuse to withdraw, nor did he say that he had. This case occurred before the issue of the recent instructions on the subject, of which I have already informed the House.
§ MR. SEXTONAre those instructions now in the hands of the police?
§ MR. TREVELYANYes, Sir.